Has anyone used one successfully as a chicken coop in the northeast?
12067
I am in the south and have used mine for a coop for nearly a yr. I turned one panel upside down so that the opening for the window is on the bottom
12068
I'm not sure about the northeast. We live on the Southeast coast of Florida and the shed has worked wonderfully for us as a chicken coop. We get LOTS of rain during hurricane season and the shed has worked out wonderfully for us for the 9 months we've had it so far. Since we don't have to deal with snow, I'm not sure how that would affect the shed. You can read my full 4 Star Review by R. Winch for the mods we made in order to use it as a wonderful chicken coop!
991927
I got his AFTER the Barn Swallows had already built their nest. I haven't even put it up yet and replied on others "reviews" to determine if it works, or not. I will put it up once the winds settle down and a couple weeks before all the birds return in the Spring. That's when I'll know for sure. A friend of mine had one hanging near his barn and he said it worked fine.............For awhile. Then, the nesting birds seemed to get used to it and began to build their nests one more. His is mounted statically, in one place and does not move. I'm mounting mine with about 12" of heavy PARACHUTE cord so it sways in the wind and even light breezes. I think that will do the trick! Good luck! Ken j. I got his AFTER the Barn Swallows had already built their nest. I haven't even put it up yet and replied on others "reviews" to determine if it works, or not. I will put it up once the winds settle down and a couple weeks before all the birds return in the Spring. That's when I'll know for sure. A friend of mine had one hanging near his barn and he said it worked fine.............For awhile. Then, the nesting birds seemed to get used to it and began to build their nests one more. His is mounted statically, in one place and does not move. I'm mounting mine with about 12" of... » Read More I got his AFTER the Barn Swallows had already built their nest. I haven't even put it up yet and replied on others "reviews" to determine if it works, or not. I will put it up once the winds settle down and a couple weeks before all the birds return in the Spring. That's when I'll know for sure. A friend of mine had one hanging near his barn and he said it worked fine.............For awhile. Then, the nesting birds seemed to get used to it and began to build their nests one more. His is mounted statically, in one place and does not move. I'm mounting mine with about 12" of heavy PARACHUTE cord so it sways in the wind and even light breezes. I think that will do the trick! Good luck! Ken j. « Show Less
1437556
I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new grasses. Also, the nests are getting loose with no use!! From one grandma to another, you get quality with what you pay.
1154479
I didn't use mine for chickens. You would have to make nesting boxes and I would say no morethan 3 small or 2 larger
1057197
No, I covered mine with tarps, placed hay inside the coop area, and when it became very cold I placed a heat lamp in one of the runs. I was leery at first but it seemed to work. I use the deep litter method in the coop part.
136721
I live in Mass and it has survived the winter!!! And I happen to live in the country's "snowiest city" this year. No one is in it right now, but it's in my chicken run and my girls use it as a large nesting box. I will be using it for spring chicks this spring, but it is too small to house large breed chickens. I used to keep 2 silkies in there who I no longer have. I'm shocked actually. i can't promise it's weather proof as far as drafts go, my girls don't use it as an actual coop anymore. But there's a good 3 feet of snow on that thing and it's held up well.
1437555
I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new grasses. Also, the nests are getting loose with no use!! From one grandma to another, you get quality with what you pay. I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new... » Read More I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new grasses. Also, the nests are getting loose with no use!! From one grandma to another, you get quality with what you pay. « Show Less
1069406
It might be possible but the average sized chickens would be crowded a bit. There also would be not enough clearance of you install a heat bulb for cold winters. If you have plans to use it for Cornish hens or other smaller birds, installing perches could be done easily.I only have two birds residing in this coop, and they are comfortable. I could probably get away with a total of four( I have Rhode Island Red birds)but, then they would be more than cozy and might squabble for space. I found this a good starter coop, but I'm already looking to expand into a larger one.
2053936
Yes, it would be very good for chickens. I actually own chickens, and though we already had a coop built for them, I bought this one for our new pup. It would be ideal for chickens too.
853851
We live in Vermont. Temps go down to 0 degrees in winter. This is not well insulated and I would not recommend using in temps below 30 degrees F. Also, as it is plastic-like material, I would not recommend putting a warming light in it. We used this in warm weather for some new (4 week old) chicks. Perch was not useful. Only 3 inches high. Once you put pine shavings in the bottom, perch got lost. Overall, not a useful hen house to use as a primary. It worked fine for getting new chicks ready to join flock though.
376916
Absolutely. I did the same thing on my chicken coop. It's awesome adjusting it from the outside. Just make sure to use screws that aren't too long for whatever material your walls are. I just have T1-11 panels and I used screws that were about 5/8" and it was perfect. Just add some trim around the edges and it looks great.
1311479
I'll go out tomorrow and check for you. But now that I know a lot more about chicken care (we knew nothing when I bought this) I would spend the money on building supplies to build a much bigger coop that is tall enough to walk into and gives the hens plenty of room. It takes awhile to build and is very difficult to clean the floor because ya just can't get in due to the size. Also, the ladder up to their coop kept falling and we really had to reconstruct it to keep it from collapsing on the poor dears when they walked on it. This Pawhut is cute as a bug when it's all built but you'll never be able to have more than 4 hens in it, and that's pushing it. Look at some home made chicken enclosures and coops and seriously consider building one yourself that you can walk into and around in and expand your chicken family if you want to. These girls (hens) are pretty addicting and are so fun. I just wish I was not limited to 4. BTW, it definitely looks a lot bigger in the photo than it really is.
783104
I had an injured hen and her healthy friend (for companionship) placed in this coop/pen and they crawled under the house and laid there in the shade. They can fit and they will lay down there, but they can't stand fully upright. My two were an Easter Egger/Ameraucana and a Cochin if that helps.
1501615
i have not tried to move it but i am sure my husband and i could move it. this coop will also need a wood protector on the outside which i have not done yet but will before summers end. i also put mine on bricks to keep it off the ground. i have a 20x40 kennel that my chickens live in, they only sleep in their coop at night and lay eggs in there. the metal locks will also need some rust stop on them, my husband may have to put new ones on it. they should be fine for a few years. you will have to take care of this house but it is easy to use and i feel the chickens are safe at night.
414242
I have a Rhode Island Red hen and rooster plus a Sex Linked hen. They are comparable in size to the Sussex with the Rooster being significantly larger than the hen. I think that the coop would fit one more full size bird (especially if it were a hen), there is certainly enough room on the roosting bars. It would be a bit tight but doable.I am planning a larger coop because I want to add several more birds but will keep the Pawhut for initial isolation of new birds when introducing them to the flock.
573680
We put these windows in our chicken coop and open the windows from inside the coop. I think it will work but opening from inside the coop hasn't been difficult.
468046
We're in the desert of northern Nevada. The plastic didn't get too hot, but I keep the coop in the shade of a tree, and the north side of the house. the birds don't stay in it except at night, anyway... unless there's broody hens. For them I froze liter soda bottles of water and put a couple in each day on really hot days. There's vents at the top of the coop for great ventilation, too. If you have no shade for the birds, you'd have to create some. It (the large one) comes with instructions for building a platform, which also makes a great shady place for the birds on hot days.